For York United midfielder Luca Accettola, turning pro meant walking down the hallway.
The 21-year-old was picked fifth overall in the 2025 CPL-U SPORTS Draft. Selected out of York Unitersity, whose home ground, York Lions Stadium, is also where York United play — giving him familiar ground on which to make his professional debut.
"It was super special to be selected," Accettola told CanPL.ca. "Playing at York University, [I was] training in the same building, playing in the same building.
"I remember that day, I was with my close family and friends, and it's exciting."
The 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft, presented by Degree takes place on Friday, November 28 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, live on the CPL YouTube channel and OneSoccer. There, 16 players will get the opportunity to hear their names called and fight for the chance to follow in Accettola's footsteps.
For Accettola, he had a similar blueprint during his first year with York University. The team featured Christian Zeppieri, who had previously been selected by York and Ryan Robinson, who played 18 matches for the Halifax Wanderers. York assistant coaches Dylan Carreiro and Daniel Gogarty, meanwhile, also played in the CPL.
"They're pro guys," said Accettola. "They know what the environment's like, and they helped me adapt to it. Thank you to them. I asked them questions, asked the vets on my team questions, and it was good to have these guys that have been in that environment before, they helped me integrate."
Earning a spot on York was never a guarentee, but Accettola made his pro debut in the club's second game of the season, a 2-1 home loss to the Halifax Wanderers. He then had to be patient, as he spent the next seven matches on the bench.
"Being available is very important at the pro level," said Accettola. "Because people go on international duty, people get hurt. And when you get your opportunity, you've got to shine. So every single training session I was putting in work, and I knew my time would come."
Eventually that chance came in June, with Steffen Yeates away at the Concacaf Gold Cup with Trinidad and Tobago. Accettola made his first pro start on June 8 in Calgary, and scored his first professional goal the next weekend against Pacific FC.
On July 2, it was announced that Accettola had signed a professional deal through 2026, with options for 2027 and 2028.
"It was an easy decision," said Accettola. "I've always wanted to go pro, and I was at home as well. I got to still do school, finish all my school there. So it worked out perfectly."
He finished the year playing 15 matches in all competitions, with a pair of goals. From preseason to playoffs, the year was a huge learning curve for Accettola, but one where he got the opportunity to learn from 32-year-old head coach Mauro Eustáquio, who played the same midfield position as Accettola in the CPL's opening year with Cavalry.
"He's hard on me, he expects a lot from me," said Accettola. "Working with him has been good, he's been teaching me a lot about the role. I was more used to playing attacking, and he now has me more of a six. So just adjusting me and helping me along the way with the role."
Now, he is looking to take the next steps in his game, inspired by those who have come before him in the draft — like Joel Waterman, selected by Cavalry in the 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft and has since gone on to be a member of the Canadian men's national team.
"The sky's the limit," said Accettola. "You've just got to keep pushing."
